Amigo Airsho relocates to Doña Ana County, commissioners decide

Organizers plan curtailed event in October, larger show in 2014

LAS CRUCES >> El Paso's decades-old Amigo Airsho is moving to Doña Ana County, thanks to two agreements OK'd Thursday morning by the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners.

Amigo Airsho CEO Pancho Mangan said the show's future was in jeopardy, after losing its home at Fort Bliss. It likely would have lost its network of volunteers and its momentum, he said.

"If it wasn't for Dona Ana County, I don't know if there would be another air show, ever," he told commissioners. "With the thanks of you all, the air show has been saved."

The commission approved, 4-0, an agreement that will allow for a one-day, educational-themed show to take place Oct. 18 of this year at the county's airport in Santa Teresa. It will be geared toward fifth-graders from El Paso, Canutillo and Gadsden Independent School District, officials said. The show is in its 32nd year.

Commissioners also OK'd, 4-0, a second, five-year agreement that kicks in for next year's show. That one will be a more-traditional, Saturday-Sunday event for the public.

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Some 80,000 people attended last year's event in El Paso, said Deputy Assistant County Manager Chuck McMahon. Because of the location change, the attendance is expected to drop to about 10,000 to 12,000 people per day at next year's air show, he said. Even with fewer people, some work will have to be done at the site to accommodate the parking, he said.

There won't be flying maneuvers at this year's show, but there will be in 2014, McMahon said.

County Commissioner David Garcia, whose district includes the airport, said he's regularly attended the air show over the years and is "thrilled" it will now be hosted in Santa Teresa. The educational aspect is a boon to students, he said.

"It's so exciting for them to see the airplanes," he said.

Airport landings and take-offs won't be impacted this year, but operations will be curtailed during the 2014 event, McMahon said.

The agreements call for revenue-sharing in future years, if the show genertes profit, according to McMahon. Also, the air show will pay typical lease fees, he said.

Mangan said the air show's new home is appropriate because it's also the location of the War Eagles Museum, which features an array of historical aircraft.

"How many air shows in the country have this kind of opportunity? I don't know of any," he said. Diana Alba Soular may be reached at 575-541-5443